(PHOTO BY MATT TAYLOR - www.noshiz.com)
by Mari Winn Taylor
The Gay Pride Parade takes place in New York City every year. This year, however, the event that took place on Sunday, was special.
Thanks to a vote of 33-29 by the New York legislature and the pen of Governor Andrew C. Cuomo on Friday, June 24, 2011, marriage between same sex partners became legal. New York became the sixth state where same sex partners may marry, and after Vermont and New Hampshire the third state to legalize it through an act of legislation rather than through court action like in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Iowa. Similar legislation failed in New Jersey, Maryland and Rhode Island.
High-5s were everywhere as the enthusiasm overflowed. One person was heard voicing a special appeal.
"Now that marriage is legal why can't I find someone to marry me," he squealed.
Shouts also were heard along the parade route that California should pay attention. In that state same sex partners who married from June to November 2008 were grandfathered in. California's Proposition B put before voters had rescinded that right to others.
Credited with leading the contentious debate was Democratic Senator Ruben Diaz, a Bronx minister. In addition, Catholic bishops of New York reportedly said that the law alters "radically and forever humanity's historic understanding of marriage," concerned that both marriage and the family would be undermined by it.
Legal challenges are expected. The leading argument is that state legislators should not decide society-shaping issues.
A sampling of parade photos appear below. Click on any thumbnail for a larger version and start of slide show. (Photos by mariwinn)
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